subject: Migratory Routes of Pastoral People on their Historic Routes in Balochistan [print this page] Migratory Routes of Pastoral People on their Historic Routes in Balochistan
Preamble
Balochistan is the cradle of many precious livestock breeds. The breeds are had been kept and evolved by the pastoral people of the region. The pastoralists usually walk behind their livestock in search of feed and water. They have flocks and herds of a wide diversity of animal species. The flock migration is a very important activity of the flock owners. Nomads have well-defined migratory routes. These migrations are of two types: northsouth and east - west. The north-south migratory routes, usually followed by Pashtun nomads and transhumant while the east-west migratory routes are followed by Brahvi transhumant.
North-South Route
The north-south itineraries are almost exclusively followed by Pashtun groups belonging either to the Ghilzai and Tarin confederacies (from Afghanistan) or to some Kakar confederacy (from Balochistan). Generally, the Loralai ranges are a focal point for the autumn movements of animals moving south and south-east from the Afghan border (Toba Kakri range) and the northern Zhob ranges (Musa Khel areas). To the west, animals move southwards from Muslim Bagh and Killa Saifullah through the Shangloona To the east, in Zhob, animals come directly to Musa Khel and move down through Lakabund and Murgha Kibzai. It is estimated that over 60 per cent of the Zhob flocks move south in autumn, either to the southern part of the district or into neighboring Loralai. In the central part of the district, many of the Kakar tribes move internally towards the west or south. The following migration routes may be identified: -
From the Sibi lowlands (winter quarters) to Chaman and western Toba Kakri range and onto several areas in Afghanistan (Summer quarters). This route links the Sibi lowlands to Chaman and the western part of Toba Kakri range areas and to Afghanistan. This north-south route has been followed by Afghan Pushtun nomads belonging mainly to the Ghilzai confederacy, since time immemorial. Since the war in Afghanistan, majority of these nomads no longer spend summer in Afghanistan, staying instead in Pakistani territory all year long. The Toba Kakri Range (part of the great boundary fault of the Himalayas) forms the border with Afghanistan north of Zhob and Pishin. The peaks reach 3,000-3,200 m. The range, drained by the Kundar and Zhob rivers, descends towards Chaman and merges into the central Mekran Range. Some Achakzai tribes use part of this route on their way back to summer quarters in Chaman area (several sub-groups also move from Chaman to Nushki using a western route through the Afghan territory). The majority of the groups following the route have small ruminants and pack animals.
From Sulaiman Range (winter quarters) to central Toba Kakri Range (summer quarters). This itinerary links large plains (Mekhtar, Anambar and Rakhni) located west of the Sulaiman Range (in the eastern part of' Loralai district towards the border between Balochistan and Punjab) to several summer areas located in Zhob district, in the central areas of toba Kakar Range (such as Badini, Murgha Faqirzai, Murgha Kibzai), in the Ziarat district (Spera Ragha, Spezandai), and the Killa Saifullah district. This route is followed by some Ghilzai and Kakar tribes. The rangelands north of the Zhob river are quite productive, although heavily grazed in summer.
From Harnai area, in Sibi District (winter quarters), to central Toba Kakari Range and to alternate areas (Ziarat and Loralai districts, summer quarters). Some groups move from summer areas located in the Toba Kakari Range to winter rangelands in the Harnai area, in the northeastern part of Sibi district. The Harnai area is also used as winter quarters by nomads (Ghilzai and Tarin confederacy) who spend the summer in Chauter area (between Ziarat and Sanjawi) and in some sites near Sanjawi. The animals migrate either down the Chauter valley to the Loralai ranges through Sanjawi, or southwards to the Harnai valley, with some proceeding further on to the Sibi area). The Sarangzai graze in the juniper zone in the summer and move down to Zarwar valley in winter. Some Kharoti, Suleman Khel and Shinwari households from the border with Afghanistan (Badani area) pass by Sanjawi (and the Asghra-Wazulun valley) on their way to Harnai and Sibi during their autumn migration. On their way back to the summer quarters they follow the Bolan pass and Quetta road.
From several locations in Zhob district (winter quarters) to areas located in Killa Saifullah and Pishin districts or in Afghanistan (summer quarters). This itinerary links winter quarters located in Zhob district to summer quarters in Pishin district, in Killa Saifullah district (Kandghar, Nikai, Nisei) near Muslim Bagh, and in several areas in Afghanistan (especially the areas located near Ghazni). In Kandghar the following Ghilzai groups may be found: Shinwari, Umarzai, Shamalzai, Hussein Khel, Mula Khel.Also Sanzar Khel of Kakar may be found. In Nikai the main groups are Naser, Kharoti, Taraki, Shinwari. Several groups use winter quarters in Killa Saifullah district as an alternative to those located in Pishin district (groups moving from Zhob to areas in the Pishin district pass close to Ragha Bakalzai (Muslim Bagh).
East-West Route
Brahvi nomads and transhumants follow west-east routes. Their winter areas are essentially located in Sibi and Kachhi plains: the main sites are Bibi Nani, Gorgtang, Sunni, Gandawa, Khost and Bhag. The Kacchi plains constitute a very specific eco-system, characterized by low altitudes, excessive heat in summer and scarcity of water. The area is Brahvi and Baloch territory, but is mostly inhabited by Jar agriculturists. Rainfall is almost totally absent, but there are rushing watercourses during specific times of the year which produce abundant sorghum crops upon which the people depend. Most of the water received in Kacchi derives from six main river courses which originate in the bordering plateau areas (Nari, Bolan, SukIeji, Mula, Lehi and Chattar). Summer quarters for most groups are spread in Nushki and Kalat areas (in the latter, the main sites are Mangocher and Johan). Other groups spend summer in areas, such as Dasht (in Mastung district), Panjpai and Spin Karez (near Quetta), and winter around Sibi. From Kalat, about 50 % of the total local sheep and goat population move eastwards into the Kacchi plains in winter. The routes followed are: the northern route through the valley of the Marao river to Bibi Nani; and the main southern route through the Mula river and Mula Pass to Gandawa in the Kacchi plains.
In the north, the main summer areas are in the Mastung valley (Khadkucha, Shirinab and Kanak, Dasht, Gwaden, Johan and Isplingi). Most of the migratory families specially destined for Sibi/ Kachhi (Bolan) plains for winter camping have started going by trucks and tractor trolleys while their livestock are tracked on foot as usual.
The people still practice nomadic travelling on the historic routes, which are important for environment friendly livestock production and to the environment betterment at large.
